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Breakdown
F Trail out of Strong I Pro (21 personnel) is a play-action style progression pass built around a deep crossing route and a delayed flat check. The X and Z both push vertical up the seams while the fullback runs a deep in-cut crossing route (the red route) that works from the strong side across the field, and the F back releases into the flat after chipping before turning it up as a late release option. The primary read starts with the fullback's crosser working against man coverage and zone holes over the middle, then progresses to the two vertical stems on the outside if the crosser is taken away, with the flat route as the checkdown against blitz or when the crosser is jumped.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker's initial drop, if he sits in a hook zone he can undercut the fullback's crossing route Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap, that shell leaves the crosser exposed since there is no second defender over the top Key the flat defender's depth, if he widens too fast to cover the F back's release, that opens the window for the shallow crossing route behind him This play struggles against two deep zone coverage since both safeties can help bracket the vertical routes and squeeze the crosser Watch for a user linebacker spying the middle of the field, that lurk threat can jump the fullback's route if the quarterback stares it down too long
Usage Tips
Use F Trail on early downs when defenses are keying run out of Strong I to catch linebackers cheating up
Look for single high safety shells before the snap, that tells you the fullback's crossing route has room to work behind linebackers and in front of the deep safety
Against man coverage, hot route the X or Z receiver on a shorter comeback if your quarterback needs a quicker release point
Pair this play with FB Dive and HB Iso earlier in a sequence so linebackers respect the run fake and bite on the fullback's initial path
If the middle of the field is clogged by zone drops, check down to the F back in the flat rather than forcing the crosser into traffic
